Trailable railway switch machine

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a trailable railway switch machine for use in classification yards and the like for moving the switch points between their two extreme positions. The switch machine includes a motion-translating mechanism having a handthrow toggle, a motor toggle and a crank arm. A hand-throw lever connected to the hand-throw toggle, an electric motor connected to the motor toggle and the switch points connected to the crank arm so that rotary motion is only imparted to the crank arm when the hand-throw lever is manipulated or when the electric motor is energized and reciprocating movement is imparted to the handthrow toggle and motor toggle when the switch is trailed.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Lyle L. Hylen Wilkinsburg, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 859,043 [22] Filed Sept. 18, I969 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [73] Assignee Westinghouse Air Bralte Company Swissvale, Pa.

[54] TRAILABLE RAILWAY SWITCH MACHINE 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.5.0 246/411, 246/39 3 [51] Int. Cl B6ill5/(l6 [50] Field of Search 246/282, 284, 318, 240, 393,411

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,418,462 12/1968 Wilson et a]. 246/240 X Primary EmminerArthur L. La Point Assistant ExaminerGeorge H. Libman A!t0meysH. A. Wiliiamson, A. G. Williamson, Jr. and J. B.

Sotak AfiSTRACT: This disclosure relates to a trailable railway switch machine for use in classification yards and the like for moving the switch points between their two extreme positions. The switch machine includes a motion-translating mechanism having a hand-throw toggle, a motor toggle and a crank arm. A hand-throw lever connected to the hand-throw toggle, an electric motor connected to the motor toggle and the switch points connected to the crank arm so that rotary motion is only imparted to the crank arm when the hand throw lever is manipulated or when the electric motor is energized and reciprocating movement is imparted to the hand-throw toggle and motor toggle when the switch is trailed.

TRAlLAlBlLlE RAILWAY SWllTCll-l MACHINE My invention relates to a railway switch machine and more particularly to an improved trailable railway switch which includes a rotatable hand-throw lever for manually throwing the switch points between their extreme positions, a reversible electric motor for power driving the switch points between their extreme positions and a motion-translating mechanism adapted to transfer rotary motion from either the hand-throw lever or the electric motor to the mechanism and adapted to translate rotary movement from the mechanism to a reciprocating movement to either the hand-throw lever or the electric motor to prevent undesirable movement thereof.

A railway switch machine which has some degree of universal usage generally requires at least two alternate modes of operation. For example, in automatic classification yards, it is desirable to provide both a power-operating mode as well as a manual-operating option for moving the switch points between their two extreme positions. That is, in humping and classification of the cars or cuts of cars, the railway switches which set up the routes are either automatically controlled from a remote location either by a computer or by a yardmaster, and therefore, power operation of the switch machine is required for such automatic operations. Likewise, on many occasions, it is necessary to provide a manual method of manipulating the railway switches. For example, during emergency periods, such as, power failures, or during train pullout at the exit end of the classification yard, it is advantageous to provide a manual means, such as, a hand-throw lever for moving the switch points between their two extreme positions. It has also been found desirable in yard applications to provide switch machines of the trailable type in order to prevent derailments, which result in prolonged delays in shipping as well as cause costly damage to equipment and lading. Thus, a railway switch machine for use in classification yards must be capable of being operated in three different fashions, namely, manual operation by a hand-throw lever, power operation by a suitable operator and a trailing operation by the wheels of passing railway vehicles.

While several switch machines capable of functioning in such a manner have been previously proposed, each of these previous switch machines is possessed of certain inherent disadvantages. In some arrangements the efficiency and reliability of operation are unacceptable while in others the constant hazard and danger to which attending personnel are exposed to is intolerable.

For example, in past trailable switch machines hydraulic operators have been utilized for power driving the points between their two extreme positions. It will be appreciated that the use of hydraulic operators requires an external source of hydraulic power which is not always readily available at the various locations in classification yards. In some cases where external hydraulic power is not available previous trailable switch machines have been equipped with a separate electric motor and pump for providing operating power for the hydraulic operator so that great versatility has been achieved. However, it will be appreciated that electrically powered, hydraulically operated trailable switch machines are relatively inefficient in that extra power is consumed and wasted. For example, any multiple conversion arrangement which changes electrical power to hydraulic pressure to mechanical movement causes an increase in the overall power losses and reduces the overall efficiency of the machine. Further, it has been found that these previous hydraulic types of switch machines are also susceptible to frequent failures due to leakages in the machine itself as well as in the conduits or pipes and hoses leading to the switch machine from, for example, an external hydraulic source.

Since commercial electrical power is readily available throughout classification yards, it is therefore highly advantageous to directly employ an electric motor for power operating a trailable railway switch machine. In one previous attempt to provide an electrical power-operated switch machine, the use ofa manual switch stand has been combined with an electric motor. One serious shortcoming of this type of electrically powered switching device involves safety to the attending personnel. For example, it is necessary to positively lock and latch the hand-throw lever in its extreme position in that the electric motor can drive and cause movement of an unlatched hand lever so that a switchman or maintainer could be seriously injured by the swinging lever when the machine is automatically controlled.

Thus, such previous proposed power-operated switches not only have been extremely costly to manufacture and maintain but also have been a constant hazard and danger to attending personnel.

Accordingly, it is an object ofmy invention to provide a new and improved railway switch machine which alleviates the above-mentioned problems and shortcomings.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved trailable railway switch machine which may be selectively operated in a power or manual mode of operation for moving the switch points between their extreme positions.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electrically powered railway switch machine which includes a hand-throw lever that remains stationary during the movement of the switch points by the electric motor or during a trailing action by the wheels of railway vehicles.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a railway switch machine having a first manual input, a second power input, and a third output-input each of which is capable of moving the switch points between their extreme positions.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a railway switch machine having a motion-translating mechanism which is capable of translating rotary motion to reciprocating motions so that the hand-throw lever remains stationary during power operation and during trailing of the switch machine.

Still yet another object of my invention is to provide a railway switch machine having a motion-translating mechanism which converts rotary movement to reciprocating movement so that the power drive train remains stationary during a handthrowing operation and during trailing of the switch machine.

Still yet a further object of my invention is to provide a trailable railway switch machine which is economical in cost, reliable in operation, durable in use, efficient in service, and safe to attending personnel.

In accordance with the present invention, my unique railway switch includes a pair of switch points and an operating mechanism for moving the switch points between two extreme positions. The operating mechanism includes a rotatable crank which is connected to the switch points by a connecting rod. A rotatable box spindle is connected to the crank arm and a pair of universal links are cooperatively associated with the box spindle. A first toggle is connected to one of the pair of universal links and a second toggle is connected to the other pair of the universal links. A hand-throw lever is directly connected to the first toggle. An electric motor is connected through a chain and gear drive to the second toggle. A biasing arrangement including helical springs normally urge the toggles, links, box spindle and switch points to their extreme positions. When it is desired to move the switch points between their two extreme positions, the hand-throw lever may be thrown or the electric motor may be energized. in manual operation, the throwing of the hand-throw lever imparts rotary movement to the first toggle and the one universal link. This rotary movement causes the box spindle and crank arm to rotate and, in turn, causes the switch points to move from one to the other of their two extreme positions. The rotation of the hand-throw lever is translated to a reciprocating movement of the second toggle by the box spindle and the other universal link so that the chain and gear train as well as the electric motor remains stationary. Alternatively when the electric motor is energized, rotary movement is imparted to the second toggle and the other universal link through the chain and gear train. This rotary movement also causes the box spindle and crank arm to rotate and, in turn, causes the switch points to move from one to the other of their two extreme positions. The rotary movement produced by the electric motor is translated to a reciprocating movement of the first toggle by the box spindle and the one universal link so that the hand-throw lever remains stationary. When the railway switch is trailed by a passing vehicle, the movement imparted to the switch points by the wheels of the vehicle causes the crank arm to rotate. The rotation of the crank arm and in turn the box spindle is translated by the universal links to cause the hand lever toggle and the motor toggle to reciprocate so that the hand-throw lever and the motor and chain and gear train remain stationary.

One form of the railway switch machine embodying the present invention will be described and the novel features and advantages thereof will be pointed out in the annexed claims. The above objects and other attendant features and advantages of this invention will become more fully evident from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the railway switch having switch points operated by a switch-operating constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view on an enlarged scale of the switch-operating mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the switch-operating mechanism with its cover removed to show in more detail the various internal parts operating mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a sectionalized elevational view of the switchoperated mechanism taken substantially along lines IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals in each figure, and in particular to FIG. 1, the reference character A designates a railway switch machine comprising two stock or fixed rails 1a and 1b and two movable switch points 2a and 2b. The fixed rails 1a and lb are normally placed on tie plates 3 which are secured in the usual well-known manner to the crossties 4. The movable switch points 2a and 2b are fastened together for simultaneous movement by a head rod (not characterized). The switch may be defined as occupying its normal position when the movable switch point 2a engages the fixed rail la while the movable point 2b is spaced from the fixed rail lb, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Conversely, the switch may be defined as occupying its reverse position when the movable point 2b engages the fixed rail 1b while the movable point 20 is spaced from the fixed rail la.

Cooperating with and suitably secured to crossties 4, adjacent the outer side of the fixed rail lb is a switch machine or operating mechanism B comprising a rectangular casing or frame 7 which supports and houses the internal components or parts of the mechanism. A cover 10 cooperates with the top of the frame 7 and includes, for example, a rubber gasket 11 which effectively seals the internal components of the mechanism from moisture and other foreign particles. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover is preferably hinged and includes a hasp and staple generally indicated by character 12 which may be locked to prevent unauthorized tampering with the switch mechanism. In viewing FIG. 1, it will be noted that the switch points are interconnected with the switch-operating mechanism B and are moved between the normal and reverse positions by means of a throw rod 8 which is connected to the head rod by means of the usual switch basket 9. The throw bar 8 passes under the movable switch point 2b and the fixed rail lb and is connected at its free end with a rotatable crank arm 13 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In viewing FIG. 3, it will be noted that the switch mechanism B basically includes a centrally located motiontranslating mechanism 14 and a power drive 15 and a manual operation 16 disposed on either end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4, the motion-translating mechanism 14 includes a rotatable vertical box spindle 18 which is suitably disposed between the upper or top and lower or bottom extremes of the frame 7. The upper end of the spindle 18 is journaled within an upper bearing 19. The upper bearing 19 is carried by a cross plate member 20 which is rigidly fastened to bearing 28 is secured in a suitable manner, such as by welding,

to the bearing plate 27 and is adapted to accommodate the lower end portion of the spindle 18. Thus, the upper and lower bearings 19 and 28 are arranged to rotatably support the spindle 18 about a vertical axis. As shown, the crank arm 13 is disposed intermediate ends of the spindle 18. In order to mitigate excessive torque which may exist between rotatable crank arm 13 and the spindle 18, it is desirable to provide spring detent means comprising a pair of side leaf spring members 30 and 31 which cooperate with the respective sides of the box 29 of the spindle 18 and crank arm 13. As shown, each of the'leaf springs 30 and 31 is provided with a depending lug or tab portion 32, only one of which is depicted in FIG. 4, which fits into a suitable slot located in the peripheral surface of the upper flange 33 of the crank arm 13. The upper end of the sideplates 30 and 31 are securely held in relation thereto by means of bolts 34 which pass through a bearing plate and, in turn, the sideplates and threadably engage the side portions of the spindle 18. The bolt holes in the side leaf springs 30 and 31 may be slightly elongated so that relative adjustment of the springs may be made with respect to the spindle 18. Thus, the crank arm 13 is angularly adjustable with respect to the spindle 18. Such a detent arrangement is generally desirable in that excessive torque causes the leaf spring tabs 32 to jump out of the slots in the flange 33 and thereby allow relative movement between the spindle 18 and crank 13. Thus, an ob struction will not result in damage to the switch points and internal component of the mechanism B. As shown, the lower flange portion of the crank arm 13 is provided with a depending cylindrical pin 35. The pin 35 normally engages the slot 36 formed in the head 37 on the free end of the operatingthrow rod 8. Thus, the pin 35 slides in the slot 36 of the operating rod 8 and moves therewith during manual, power or tailing action of the railway switch.

The box portion 29 of the spindle 18 includes a rectangular opening 38 for accommodating a pair of ball links 39 and 40. The inserted portion of each of the ball links 39 and 40 takes the form of bifurcated end portions or tines which are interleaved and attached together by a central pivot pin, not shown. The ball of link 39 cooperates with the socket portion of an intermediate link 41 while the ball of link 40 cooperates with the socket portion of an intermediate link 42. The socket portions of the intermediate links 41 and 42 are preferably constructed of a two-piece overlapping arrangement which are clamped together to form the respective hemispherical halves of each socket. That is, the socket halves are fastened together by bolts and nuts 43, and 44, respectively, thereby forming a universal joint. As shown, the remote end of intermediate link 41 is pivotally connected to one end of a handthrow toggle 45. As shown, the ends of the intermediate link 41 and the toggle 45 are interfitted and are held in pivotal relationship by means of pivot pin 46. The other end of the hand-throw toggle 45 includes a splined shank 47 which is fitted within an agreeing splined portion of the hub 48a of the hand-throw lever 48. The hub 48a is also journaled within a bearing 49 formed in the end wall 23 of the frame 7. Thus, the hand-throw linkage 45 may move longitudinally with respect to the hub 48a of the hand-throw lever 48 and may also rotate therewith, as will be described hereinafter.

A suitable spring biasing arrangement normally urges the hand-throw toggle to a retracted position, as shown in the drawings. The biasing arrangement includes a longitudinally movable bracket 50 which is guided by a pair of L-shaped channel members 52a and 52b secured to the respective sidewalls offrame 7. A pair of helical springs 51a and 51b nor- .toggle 45 passes through a circular mally urge the hand-throw toggle 45 and bracket 50 to a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown, the opening 53 centrally located in the movable bracket 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the toggle 45 is provided with a collar which engages and communicates with the inner surface of the bracket 50 which preferably is provided with an annular or ring bearing 54. Thus, the toggle 45 is permitted to rotate relative to the bracket but moves longitudinally with the bracket between the extended and the retracted position. Further, a pair of openended cylindrical spring retainers 55 and 56 accommodate one end of the springs 51a and 51b, respectively. The other end of the helical springs rest against the flanges 57a, 58a respectively. A pair of through bolts 57 and 58 are adapted to pass through the ends of circular spring retainers 55 and 56, respectively as well as through the center of springs 51a and 5112. These bolts 57, 58 are secured to washer-type elements (by welds not shown) to create flanges57a and58a, which respectively are in contact with the end wall 23 of the frame 7. A portion of the bolts 57b and 58b extends through the end .wall 23 through openings provided therein, to thereby facilitate the alignment of the bolts 57 and 58 with the frame 7. A pair of nuts and lockwashers engage the free ends of the through bolts 57 and 58. The bolts and nuts retain the bracket 50 and springs 52a and 52b in the proper position with each other. The dual spring assemblies and shank of the hand toggle also provide a more stable arrangement so that binding and cocking between the movable and stationary members are reduced.

It will be noted that the intermediate link 42 is pivotally connected to a motor toggle 62. As shown, the remote end of the intermediate link 42 is connected by pivot pin 63 to one end of the toggle 62. The motor toggle 62 also includes a splined shank portion 64 which passes through the hub of a worm wheel gear 66. Thus, like hand lever toggle 45 the motor toggle 62 is longitudinally movable between an extended and retracted position. A helical biasing spring 67 surrounds a portion of the shank of the toggle 62. The spring 67 has one end seated against the inner surface of an intermediate wall 68 of the frame 7 while the other end of spring 57 is seated against spring cap 69 which is fitted about the head portion of toggle 62. The worm gear 66 is disposed between the intermediate walls 68 and 70 and is mounted for rotation by a pair of ball bearings 71 and 72, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the gear teeth of the gear 66 are adapted to engage the gear teeth of worm gear 73. The worm gear 73 is carried by a shaft 74 which is rotatably supported by ball bearings 75 and 76.

As shown, one end of the worm shaft extends into an oil or lubricating chamber 77 which is defined by an inner wall 78 and the sidewall of the frame 7. The shaft 74 is driven by means of a sprocket wheel 79 which is connected to the end of shaft 74 by an appropriate torque limiter 80. The torque limiter 80 may be a conventional slip clutch which is interposed between the worm shaft 74 and the sprocket 79 so that slippage occurs when excessive force exists between the sprocket 79 and shaft 74. The sprocket wheel 79 is driven by a chain 81 which in turn is driven by motor sprocket 82. The sprocket 82 may be keyed to the motor shaft which is driven by the armature of the reversible electric motor 83. The motor 83 is located within a compartment defined by the intermediate wall 70 and inner wall 78,and is fixedly secured to the floor of the frame 7 in any suitable conventional manner. Thus, it can be seen that all of the critical components or parts of the railway switch mechanism B are internally located within the frame 7 and accordingly are not exposed to the adverse environment normally present in a railroad application.

Now assuming that all the necessary adjustments have been made and that the railroad switch is operating properly I will describe the various alternative methods of operating the switch from its normal position, as shown in the drawings, to its reverse position. As previously mentioned, the switch points may be selectively moved from one extreme position to the other extreme position in one of three ways, namely,

points 2a and 2b power driving the switch points by throwing the hand-throw lever 48 or trailing the switch points by the wheels of a vehicle passing through the switch.

First let us assume that the switch points are to be moved automatically from their normal to their reverse position by energizing the reversible electric motor 83. As previously mentioned, automatic operation of the switch machine may be under the control of a computer or a yardmaster remotely located from the railway switch. The energization of the reversible motor 83 causes rotation movement of the armature and its shaft and in turn rotates sprocket 82. The rotation of the sprocket 82 is transmitted by chain 81 through clutch to the sprocket 79 which causes rotation of the shaft 74 and, in turn, worm gear 73. The rotary movement of the worm gear 73 causes rotation of the worm wheel gear 66. The rotary movement of the gear 66 is conveyed to the splined shank portion 64 of the motor toggle 62. The initial angular rotation of the toggle 62 causes the intermediate link 42 to begin lifting upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 3. The lifting action of the intermediate link 42 causes the ball link 40 to also move angularly as viewed in FIG. '3. The angular movement of the link 42 and link 40 causes the box spindle 18 to rotate in a counterclockcwise direction. The rotation of the box spindle 18 in turn causes the crank arm 13 to also rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. The counterclockwise movement of the crank arm 13 results in longitudinal movement being imparted to the throw rod 8 through the slot 36 in the head 37. Thus, the switch points 2a and 2b begin moving from their normal to their reverse positions. The counterclockwise rotation of the box spindle 18 also causes angular movement to be imparted to the ball link 39. The angular rotation of the ball link 39 causes lateral movement to be imparted to the intermediate link 41. That is, the link 41 is caused to move in a longitudinal direction rather than to move in an angular direction. This horizontal movement of the intermediate link is transmitted through pivot pin 46 to the hand'throwtoggle 45. Accordingly, the hand-throw toggle 45 begins moving longitudinally with respect to the axis of the shank portion 47. The longitudinal movement of the toggle 45 causes movement of the bracket 50 which results in the depression of the helical springs 51a and 51b. As the motor continues to rotate and turn the box spindle 18, the crank 13 continues to move the switch from their normal to reverse position and the hand-throw toggle 45 continues to move bracket 50 which in turn depresses the springs 51a and 51b. When the switch points assume their intermediate position, the helical spring 51a and 51b will be substantially fully depressed by bracket 50. Thus, the splined shank portion 47 of the hand-throw toggle 45 will be extended outwardly by an amount equal to the horizontal displacement of the bracket 50. At this instance, the longitudinal axis of the ball link 39, the intermediate link 41 and hand-throw toggle 45 are in a straight line relationship, as viewed in FIG. 3. As the motor 83 continues driving the box spindle 18, and as the hand-throw toggle 45, the intermediate link 41 and the ball link 39 move past dead center, the remaining movement is now assisted by the stored energy of the biasing springs 51a and 51b. In actual practice, when the motor is not driving and the switch machine is in its trailing mode of operation, the springs 51a and 51b cause a snap action to be imparted to the railway switch. Thus, the remaining movement of the switch points during the trailing mode to their reverse position is quite rapid and positive. The trailing mode of operation is set out more fully hereafter. Normally, the motor 83 will remain energized until the switch point 211 intimately contacts stock rail 1b so that the railway switch may be moved back to its normal position in case an obstruction prevents the switch points from assuming the reverse position. Thus, it can be seen that a rotational input to the motor toggle 62 imparts a rotational movement to be spindle 18 and crank arm 13 but imparts a reciprocating movement to the handthrow toggle 45. Accordingly, the hand-throw lever 48 remains stationary and does not move from supporting rest 84 during the power operation of the railway switch machine.

if it is desired to move the switch points back to their initial normal position, it is simply necessary to reenergize motor 83 so that a reversing procedure occurs. The motor now rotates in the opposite direction and again imparts an angular rotation movement to the toggle 62, the links 40 and 42 and box spindle 18 through the chain and gear train. Again the rotational movement of the box spindle l8 and ball link 39 causes lateral movement of the intermediate link 41 which in turn causes a reciprocating movement of the hand lever toggle 45. Again, the hand-throw lever 48 remains stationary on the supporting rest 84 and the switch machine moves through its procedure operation until again the switch mechanism assumes the position as shown in FIG. 3 and the switch points again assume their position as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, it can be seen that attending personnel are not in danger and cannot be injured by the hand-throw lever 48 during power operation of the railway switch machine.

Let us again assume that the railway switch is in its normal position as shown in FIG. 1 and that it is now desirable to manually manipulate the switch points to their reverse position. Under this condition, a yardman or brakeman simply throw the hand throw-lever 48 from the supporting rest 84 to supporting rest 85. In the interim, it will be noted that the manual throwing of the hand lever 48 causes rotational movement to be imparted to the hand-throw toggle 45. The rotational movement of the hand-throw toggle 45 now causes angular rotation of the intermediate link 41 which imparts a rotary movement to the box spindle 18 through ball link 39. The rotational movement of the box spindle 18 is transmitted to the crank arm 13 which again causes longitudinal movement to the throw rod 8. However, the rotational movement of the box spindle 18 causes the ball link and the intermediate link 42 to undergo a lateral translation which in turn causes the motor toggle 62 to reciprocate and move from an extended position to a retracted position. As the switch points and in turn the crank arm 13 pass the intermediate position, the motor toggle 62 moves from its retracted to its extended position, and thus no rotary movement is imparted to the worm wheel gear 66. Such operation insures that extra effort is not required by the operation to overcome the deadweight of the power drive train. it will be appreciated that the procedure for moving the switch points from their reverse to normal position is substantially the same with the exception that the handthrow lever is moved from the supporting rest 85 back to the supporting rest 84. The motor and hand lever toggles and linkages undergo similar movement, namely, the hand-throw tog gle 45 and links 41 and 39 undergo an angular rotation while the motor toggle 62 and links 42 and 40 move laterally and reciprocate respectively. The box spindle 18 rotates the crank arm 13 which causes the throw rod 8 to move the switch points back to their normal position. Thus, it will be seen that the rotational input to the hand-throw lever 48 imparts a rotational movement to the box spindle 18 but results in a reciprocating movement to the motor toggle 62.

Let us again assume that the railway switch is in its normal position as shown in FIG. 3 and that a railway vehicle is approaching the switch position on stock rail 1a and switch point 2b. Under this condition, a trailing action will occur and the forward wheels of the vehicle will shift the switch points from their normal to reverse position as the vehicle passes through the switch. The lateral movement of the switch points causes longitudinal movement of the throw bar 8 which in turn causes rotational movement of the crank arm 13. The rotation of the crank arm 13 in turn causes rotational movement of the box spindle 18. However, it will be noted that rotation of the box spindle causes both the motor toggle linkage and the handthrow toggle linkage to simply reciprocate between the normally extended and retracted positions. That is, rotation of the box spindle 18 and in turn the ball link 39 causes the intermediate linkages 41 and 42 to undergo a lateral translational movement. Again the translational movement of the intermediate linkages 41 and 42 causes reciprocating movement to occur in the hand lever toggle 45 and motor toggle 62 respectively. Thus, a rotational input movement to the box spindle by a trailing action of the railway switch simply causes reciprocating movement to occur in the respective linkages, and therefore, the hand-throw lever 48 and the power drive mechanism 15 remains stationary during such action. Thus, when the wheels of a railway vehicle trail the rotary switch, a maintainer is not exposed to any danger of a swinging handthrow lever, and no damage will occur to the power train and electric motor.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the presently described railway switch machine provides a more efficient mechanism for moving the switch points between their two extreme positions. It will also be seen that the switch mechanism provides a reliable method of moving the switch points between their two extreme positions with a minimum of losses due to the elimination of imparting or attempting to impart movement to deadweights. For example, during power operation, the hand-throw lever 48 remains stationary so that unnecessary power is not consumed in moving or attempting to move the lever from one position to the other position. Similarly, during manual operation movement is imparted to the chain and gear train and in turn to the motor due to the unique operation of the motor toggle linkage. Similarly, less change of injury to personnel is realized in that no movement or torque is applied to the hand lever 48 and less danger of damage to the power drive train is realized due to the elimination of rotational torque to these portions of the switch mechanism. Thus, a more efficient and safer switch machine is realized by insuring that rotary input movement to the manual or power inputs simply result in rotary output to the switch crank arm, and that rotary input to the switch crank arm results in the reciprocating movement to the manual and power inputs.

Although I have herein illustrated and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes, alternations, and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art which fall within the realm and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A railway switch machine for moving switch points between their extreme positions comprising, a motion-translating mechanism having a first manual input, a second power input and a third output-input, a hand-throw lever connected to said first manual input, an electric motor connected to said second power input, and connecting means operably connecting said third output-input to said switch points so that said switch points are moved between their extreme positions when rotary motion is imparted to said hand-throw lever or when electrical energy is applied to said electric motor, and said first manual input including a first toggle means which rotates when said hand lever is thrown and which reciprocates when said motor is energized and when said switch points are trailed.

2. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting means including a crank and a throw rod for connecting said third output-input of said motion-translating mechanism to said switch points.

3. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said second power input includes a second toggle means which rotates when said electric motor is energized and which reciprocates when said hand-throw lever is thrown and when said switch points are trailed.

4. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said third output-input comprises a spindle which rotates when said hand-throw lever is thrown, when said electric motor is energized and when said switch points are trailed.

S. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 4, wherein a first universal linkage connects said first toggle unit to said spindle and a second universal linkage connects said second toggle unit to aid spindle.

6. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 3, wherein a chain drive and gear train connect said electric motor to said second toggle unit.

7. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 3, wherein a first spring means assists in closing said switch points when said switch points are moved from one extreme position to the other extreme position due to the energization of the electric motor or due to a trailing action of a wheel of a railway vehicle.

8. A trailable switch comprising, a pair of switch points movable between a first and a second extreme position. an operating rod connected to said switch points, a rotatable crank ann connected to said operating rod, a rotatable spindle connected to said crank arm, a double linkage having a pair of universal links, one of said pair of said universal links of said double linkage connected to said rotatable spindle, a first and a second toggle connected to the other of said pair of universal links of said double linkage, a hand-throw lever connected to said first toggle, and an electric motor mechanically coupled to said second toggle wherein said switch points may be selectively moved between their extreme positions by energizing said electric motor or by throwing said hand-throw lever.

9. A trailable switch as defined in claim 8, wherein said first toggle and said one pair of said universal links of said double linkage transfer rotational movement of said hand-throw lever to said spindle and said second toggle and said other pair of said universai links of said double linkage translate said rota tional movement of said hand-throw iever to reciprocating movement so that the position of said electric motor remains unchanged.

M A trailable switch as defined in claim 8, wherein said second toggle and said other pair of said universal links of said double linkage transfer rotational movement of said electric motor to said spindle and said first toggle and said one pair of said universal links of said double linkage translate said rotationai movement of said electric motor to reciprocating movement so that said hand throw lever remains stationary.

llll. A trailable switch as defined in claim 8, wherein rotational movement imparted to said spindle during trailing of said switch points is translated into a reciprocating movement by said pair of universal links of said double linkage and said first and said second toggles so that said electric motor and said hand-throw lever remain fixed in their respective positions.

i l 8' i 

1. A railway switch machine for moving switch points between their extreme positions comprising, a motion-translating mechanism having a first manual input, a second power input and a third output-input, a hand-throw lever connected to said first manual input, an electric motor connected to said second power input, and connecting means operably connecting said third output-input to said switch points so that said switch points are moved between their extreme positions when rotary motion is imparted to said hand-throw lever or when electrical energy is applied to said electric motor, and said first manual input including a first toggle means which rotates when said hand lever is thrown and which reciprocates when said motor is energized and when said switch points are trailed.
 2. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting means including a crank and a throw rod for connecting said third output-input of said motion-translating mechanism to said switch points.
 3. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said second power input includes a second toggle means which rotates when said electric motor is energized and which reciprocates when said hand-throw lever is thrown and when said switch points are trailed.
 4. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said third output-input comprises a spindle which rotates when said hand-throw lever is thrown, when said electric motor is energized and when said switch points are trailed.
 5. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 4, wherein a first universal linkage connects said first toggle unit to said spindle and a second universal linkage connects said second toggle unit to aid spindle.
 6. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 3, wherein a chain drive and gear train connect said electric motor to said second toggle unit.
 7. A railway switch machine as defined in claim 3, wherein a first spring means assists in closing said switch points when said switch points are moved from one extreme position to the othEr extreme position due to the energization of the electric motor or due to a trailing action of a wheel of a railway vehicle.
 8. A trailable switch comprising, a pair of switch points movable between a first and a second extreme position, an operating rod connected to said switch points, a rotatable crank arm connected to said operating rod, a rotatable spindle connected to said crank arm, a double linkage having a pair of universal links, one of said pair of said universal links of said double linkage connected to said rotatable spindle, a first and a second toggle connected to the other of said pair of universal links of said double linkage, a hand-throw lever connected to said first toggle, and an electric motor mechanically coupled to said second toggle wherein said switch points may be selectively moved between their extreme positions by energizing said electric motor or by throwing said hand-throw lever.
 9. A trailable switch as defined in claim 8, wherein said first toggle and said one pair of said universal links of said double linkage transfer rotational movement of said hand-throw lever to said spindle and said second toggle and said other pair of said universal links of said double linkage translate said rotational movement of said hand-throw lever to reciprocating movement so that the position of said electric motor remains unchanged.
 10. A trailable switch as defined in claim 8, wherein said second toggle and said other pair of said universal links of said double linkage transfer rotational movement of said electric motor to said spindle and said first toggle and said one pair of said universal links of said double linkage translate said rotational movement of said electric motor to reciprocating movement so that said hand-throw lever remains stationary.
 11. A trailable switch as defined in claim 8, wherein rotational movement imparted to said spindle during trailing of said switch points is translated into a reciprocating movement by said pair of universal links of said double linkage and said first and said second toggles so that said electric motor and said hand-throw lever remain fixed in their respective positions. 